title: Subacute bacterial endocarditis presenting as left upper quadrant abdominal pain.
abstract: Infective endocarditis is a microbial infection of the endocardial surface of the heart. Its symptoms and signs are varied, and include fever, heart murmur, peripheral embolism, and heart failure. The diagnosis of subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE) is suggested by a history of an indolent process characterized by fever, fatigue, anorexia, and unexplained weight loss. These patients may have had an invasive procedure, such as dental work, or abused intravenous drugs prior to the diagnosis of SBE. Although uncommon, the patients may present with nonspecific symptoms caused by peripheral embolic events. Herein, we report a 25-year-old male diagnosed with SBE, who presented with the unusual symptom of sudden onset of left upper quadrant abdominal pain for 2 days. His clinical history is also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Yung-Ta
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: Chun-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Nai-Wen
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Tsao
authors.forename: Feng-Yen
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Nen-Chung
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chun-Yao
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004698:Endocarditis, Subacute Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
keywords: Streptococcus salivarius; bicuspid aortic valve; infective endocarditis; splenic infarction; subacute bacterial endocarditis